Tony Mariconda is making steady progress now. The feeding tube has been removed and he is able eat soft foods. He has started Physical Therapy and is working with small weights every day. Short walks are now part of the daily regimen too. Chemotherapy is still upcoming, and that should start soon.

The surgeon has cleared him to travel to the USA Hockey Annual Congress in Colorado Springs.  From there he and his wife will go on to visit the grandkids in Oklahoma for a few days.  He is really looking forward to that trip!

Thank you for all your kind thoughts and prayers!

Posted by Dave Aiello at 8:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda, Referee-in-Chief of the USA Hockey Atlantic District, is battling cancer again. This time, however, surgery was not able to clear his body of disease. As a result, after Tony recovers from this most recent surgery, he will undergo chemotherapy. We know the challenges going forward are great but with treatment and support we pray that Tony will recover.

We will continue to keep Tony and his family in our thoughts and prayers.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you have not registered as an Official for the current (2009-2010) season and have already attended an Officiating Seminar, please note:

Online registration will be available for Ice Hockey Officials only until April 5th. Between April 5th and April 30th, if anyone wants to register they will need to contact Atlantic District RIC Tony Mariconda at tonyrefx3 [at] aol.com. No one will be able to register for the 2009-10 season after April 30th.

Tests and Retests for the 2009-10 season all need to be completed by May 10, 2010.

If you have not already attended an Officiating Seminar, it is too late to register with USA Hockey for the 2009-2010 season.

Come back to this site in early July for information on Officiating Seminars for the 2010-11 season.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 7:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Back in December we reported that Meg Hishmeh and Leah Wrazidlo would be officiating the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Meg and Leah are both members of the Atlantic District Officiating Program who live in New Jersey. Each of them has officiated several Women's Ice Hockey games in the Olympics so far.

Here is a a roundup of the news reports that mention either or both of them:

• Hockey officials heading from Kinnelon to Vancouver in the Daily Record. The article talks mainly about how each of them learned that they had been selected for the Olympic tournament and recaps their playing and officiating careers to this point.
• NAHL referee to work Winter Olympics on The World of Junior Hockey Blog. This article talks mainly about Wrazidlo, her involvement in the Olympics, and the fact that she officiated a North American Hockey League game that was part of the Paint the Rink Pink Campaign.
• Female referee blazes trail from Duluth to Olympics in the Duluth News Tribune. Leah Wrazidlo is featured in this article. She is of local interest in Duluth, MN because Leah is a native of the area and a University of Minnesota Duluth alumnus.

Continue reading "Media Reports on Meg Hishmeh and Leah Wrazidlo Officiating Ice Hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics" »

Posted by Dave Aiello at 1:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda asked that the following announcement be posted on AAHArefs:

With the help of our Internet Communications Department, the USA Hockey Officiating Department is happy to launch the new Official Status feature at www.usahockey.com. This feature will offer our 28,000 registered officials the opportunity to review their current registration status with USA Hockey.

The feature will replace the automated telephone menu-system. The telephone system will no longer be in service after Friday, February 5, 2010.

If you live in a state that used the USA Hockey Online Seminar Registration Tool this past fall you already have the necessary USAHockey.com profile to access your information. If you do not have a USAHockey.com profile, the process is very simple and will take less than five minutes to complete. To create a profile and access your information:

1. Go to www.usahockey.com and click the "Create Profile" link at the top of the page next to the search engine.
2. Follow the instructions and enter the required data-fields to set-up your profile.
3. After your profile is created and saved, click the "Official Status" link at the top of the website (where the "Create Profile" link previously was) and you will be lead to your USA Hockey Officiating Program Registration information.
4. This webpage will provide valuable information to all our officials as they complete their registration each season. The webpage is designed to display your USA Hockey Officiating Number, Registration History, Seminar Attendance Information, and Exam Results.

This webpage will provide valuable information to all our officials as they complete their registration each season. The webpage is designed to display your USA Hockey Officiating Number, Registration History, Seminar Attendance Information, and Exam Results.

Continue reading "USA Hockey Provides Web-based Way to Check Officiating Status" »

Posted by Dave Aiello at 1:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mike McDevitt, the Atlantic District Evaluation Program Coordinator, said the following:

I would like to remind all registered USA Hockey officials to email me if they would like an evaluation. I will put them in contact with an Atlantic District Supervisor in their area, to perform an in-person written evaluation with them.

The USA Hockey Evaluation Program is designed as an educational tool to assist all officials. The evaluation process will provide instructional follow-up which reinforces the information presented at USA Hockey seminars and is outlined in the officiating manuals. The evaluator is there as an officiating 'coach' to help the individual on-ice official improve his/her game.

Mike's email address is mcdevittmike [at] hotmail.com.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 1:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote, "I am sorry to report that Paul Puchalik has passed away after a long battle with cancer. He was a former on-ice official, the rink manager at Lawrenceville, the Commissioner of the Mid-Atlantic Women's Hockey Association and a Vice-President of the Atlantic District."

The viewing is Sunday, November 22, 2009 between 2:00 and 6:00 pm at Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vanderventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, November 23 at 10:00 AM at St. David the King Catholic Church, Village Road, West Windsor, NJ.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to American Cancer Society and/or the Lawrence Flames Scholarship Fund.

Obituaries: Trenton Times

Posted by Dave Aiello at 8:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tom McCullough wrote, "Brett Riggs passed away last week. The Oaks officials have put together a fund and sent the money to Brett's memory at the Cardiac Center at Children's Hospital."

Here is the obituary, courtesy of R.L. Williams, Jr. Funeral Home, where online condolences may be left for Brett's family:

Brett Riggs, 24, passed away of natural causes on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009. He was a lifelong resident of Skippack.

... He was the son of Glen R. and Mary ‘Candy’ (Kane) Riggs of Skippack and was a 2003 graduate of Perkiomen Valley High School.

He was employed with Johnson Matthey of Devon.

Brett played in ice hockey leagues on several teams since he was 6 years old and also served as a referee.

He was a big race car fan who enjoyed sprint, dirt and NASCAR. He enjoyed golfing and attained his first hole-in-one earlier this year in Myrtle Beach, SC. In addition to his parents, he is survived by two sisters, Melanie L. Fulmer and her husband Tom and their children Morgan and Aaron of Phoenixville, and Jamie E. Riggs of Skippack; his paternal grandmother, Dorothy E. Riggs of Blairsville, GA; aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the R. L. Williams, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., Skippack Pike @ Cedars Road, Skippack.

Friends are invited to attend his memorial service on Thursday at 11 a.m. at New Hanover United Methodist Church, 2211 Swamp Pike, Gilbertsville. There will not be a Viewing or a receiving time at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Brett’s memory to Cardiac Center of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th Street & Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19104.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 2:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Luke Murray wrote:

When the World University Games kick off February 18 in Harbin, China, Atlantic District official Kate Connolly will be one of three American officials working the international event.

A Philadelphia resident, Connolly holds an IIHF license and was assigned to officiate the Four Nations Cup tournament this past November, held at the Olympic Training Facility in Lake Placid.

At that tournament, the 25-year old Connolly worked a USA-Canada tilt
highlighted by a United States win in a six-round shootout following an
overtime period.

Only three months earlier she skated several exhibition games between the
two teams during summertime friendly matches.

Connolly joins referees Tara Leighton of Fairbanks, Alaska and Laura
Johnson, of St. Louis, MO on the ice and Supervisors Stacey Livingston and
USA Hockey Director of Officiating Matt Leaf at the games from the United States.
The World University Games conclude Friday, February 27.

The Atlantic District female officials are also well-represented at the international adult women's levels this year with Kinnelon, NJ's Meghan Hishmeh traveling to Finland to work the IIHF Women's A Pool World Championships. Andrea
Weissman, also of Philadelphia will head to Austria for the IIHF's Division
I World Championships. Both Tournaments will take place in April.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 7:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote, "Congratulations to Dave Aiello and his wife Kathleen on the birth of their second son. Peter Aiello was born at 8:05am on January 21, 2009. He was 7 pounds 15 ounces and 20 1/2-inches at birth."

Posted by Dave Aiello at 7:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dave Aiello wrote, "I'm sorry to report that John Moritz, an official from the Atlantic District, has died. We were asked to pass along the following information to the officiating community:"

John Moritz, Atlantic District Referee, bravely battled metastatic colorectal cancer since February 2008. He endured much in terms of treatments and side effects in hopes of beating this disease and one day returning to the ice again. Sadly he lost his battle on January 17, 2009. John's battle was chronicled as a blog at www.johnscancerjourney.com.

John leaves behind a wife, three children who played, still play, officiate or coach ice hockey in the area, and two step-sons.

For those of you who might want to share your condolences with the family, the details of John's Memorial Service are listed below:

Date: Friday, January 23, 2009
Time: 7:00 pm (reception at 6:30 pm)
Location: Blue Bell Country Club, 1800 Tournament Drive, Blue Bell, PA 19422

For those who are unable to attend the memorial service but would like to share a remembrance or story about John with his family, please feel free to leave a comment on the blog.

The family requests that flowers are omitted however those who chose to do so may make a donation the John M. Moritz, Jr. Memorial Scholarship fund c/o Wachovia Bank, 1375 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 10:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mike McDevitt, the Atlantic District Officiating Program Evaluation Coordinator, has been selected to officiate the 2009 ECHL All-Star Game Presented by Guardian Wear in Reading, PA on Wednesday, January 21. Mike will be a linesman, joining referee Shane Warschaw and linesman Mike Hamilton in the three-man on-ice crew.

According to the announcement from the ECHL:

McDevitt began officiating professional hockey in 1993-94 and has worked more than 900 regular season games in the ECHL and the American Hockey League while also working the Kelly Cup Playoffs and the Calder Cup Playoffs. He was a linesman in the 2002 International Ice Hockey Federation Under-20 World Championship and the Winter World University Games in 2000. McDevitt worked as a linesman for the 1999 Three Nations Under-20 Tournament and has been a referee in the Asian Professional Hockey League since 2004. He is an instructor at USA Hockey’s officiating camps where one of his students was All-Star referee Shane Warschaw.

Congratulations to Mike, Shane, and Mike, and good luck on Wednesday.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 1:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote: "I am happy to report that Marty Maglio has accepted the position of Atlantic District Officiating Seminar Coordinator effective immediately."

Marty Maglio
110 Juniper Court
Glen Mills, PA 19342
marty.maglio [at] verizon.net
610-742-7251

"I am also happy to report that Vince Scriboni has accepted the position of Atlantic District Officiating Seminar Liaison – South effective immediately. Vince will take over Marty's former role with seminar administration in the southern part of our District. He joins Carl Barling, who is our Seminar Liaison in the northern part of the District."

Vince Scriboni
134 Hidden Pond Way
West Chester, PA 19382
Iceref413 [at] verizon.net
215-896-7443

Posted by Dave Aiello at 9:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dave Aiello wrote: "I'm sorry to report the passing of Edward Taylor, Joan Mariconda's father. The arrangements are as follows:"

Edward Taylor
Scilleri's Funeral Home
351 Fifth Avenue
Paterson, NJ 07514
www.scillerifuneralhome.com

Wake - Thursday, January 15: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9
Funeral - Friday, January 16: 9:30am from the Funeral Home

Posted by Dave Aiello at 8:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote, "I am disappointed to announce that I have received an unsolicited message from Shane Hanlon indicating that has resigned as our District Seminar Coordinator effective immediately. I want to thank Shane for all the time and effort he has put into helping make our seminar program one of the best in all of USA Hockey."

Posted by Dave Aiello at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote: "Our fellow official, Bob Triebe, had a motorcycle accident on Sunday."

"He is still in the hospital with 6 cracked ribs and other pains and concerns. He will be there (Morristown Memorial Hospital) through at least Wednesday."

Posted by Dave Aiello at 11:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote: "I am sorry to report the passing of John F. Hoke, Sr., father of Eric Hoke. See details below:"

John F. Hoke, Sr. "Jack", on Oct. 1, 2008, at the age of 71. Beloved husband of the late Anna Marie (nee Centrone), loving father of Lisa, John F. Jr., Kathleen Staszak (Joe), and Eric Hoke; cherished grandfather of Joey, Amanda, and Johnny; dear brother of Allen, June, Arthur, Janet, Joyce, and Jay. Jack was a retired Police Officer and served 38 years in the Army National Guard.

Relatives and friends are invited to Jack's Life Celebration Mon. eve. from 7 to 9 P.M. and Tues. from 10 A.M. followed by his Funeral Service 11 A.M. at JOHN F. GIVNISH OF ACADEMY RD., 10975 Academy Rd., Phila.

Interment - Resurrection Cem. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Jack's memory to the American Legion Post 315, 3205 Lancaster Ave., Phila. PA 19104 would be appreciated.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 8:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One of the unique opportunities that a few up-and-coming Atlantic District officials get each year is to participate in The Atlantic District Officiating Development Camp. This is a program that was launched in June 2004 by NHL Referee Ian Walsh. Ian grew up in the Atlantic District Officiating Program, lives in Philadelphia, and has been a member of the Atlantic District and USA Hockey instructional staffs for a long time.

Ian says that the goal of the Atlantic District Officiating Development Camp is simply, "to get male and female officials ready for USA Hockey Eastern Regional Camp."

Following the Example Set By Minnesota

The idea for the development camp came to Ian six seasons ago when he was working on the staff of the USA Hockey Western Regional Camp. At that camp, he was impressed with how well the officials from Minnesota performed. Ian said.

It wasn't like the kids from Minnesota were more physically talented than others, they were just well prepared. They came to camp in shape. {The men} were always clean shaven. They were never late for class. They did well on their runs. They all made a great first impression.

Participants in regional camps typically only get to attend once. Lots of officials have arrived in the past with great potential and some significant local experience, but little knowledge of what to expect at the camp. The officials from Minnesota all looked like they knew what to expect and how to behave in every part of the program-- as if they had been there before.

Ian did some investigation and found out that all of the officials nominated by the Minnesota District attended a pre-camp run by senior instructors from that area. The specific goal of this pre-camp was to inform Regional Camp nominees of what to expect, how to behave, and how to prepare to do well at the Western Regional Camp if they were selected.

Getting the Camp Off the Ground

Ian approached Atlantic District Referee-in-Chief Tony Mariconda with the idea of organizing a similar camp for Atlantic District officials, and Tony enthusiastically approved it. Ian worked on the camp concept during the 2003-2004 season and held the first Atlantic District Officiating Development Camp in June 2004. This year marked the fifth anniversary.

Continue reading "The Atlantic District Officiating Development Camp Celebrates Its Fifth Anniversary" »

Posted by Dave Aiello at 6:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote: "I am sorry to report the passing of Barbara Franchetti, mother of Joe Franchetti. See the death notice for more information."

FRANCHETTI, BARBARA

On May 19, 2008, age 66, (nee Predpelski). Wife of Theodore of Magnolia, NJ. Dear mother of Joseph of Magnolia and Jennifer Woods (Harry) of Glendora, grandmother of Joseph and Victoria Franchetti and Nicholas and Matthew Woods, sister of Joseph Predpelski of Collingswood.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Mass of Christian Burial on Friday at 10 AM at St. Gregory Church, Evesham and White Horse Pike, Magnolia, NJ. Inurnment St.Joseph Cemetery. Visitation from 9 AM to 9:45 AM at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 5005 LBJ Pkwy, Ste. 250, Dallas, TX 75244, or donate online www.komen.org.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote: "I am sorry to report the passing of John Maglio, father of Marty Maglio. See details below:"

Maglio, John L.

On April 13, 2008 of Venice, FL. Husband of Eleanore B. Maglio (nee Piciulo); father of Michael J. Maglio (Linda) and Martin J. Maglio; brother of Anthony Maglio; grandfather of Lindsey and Tara Maglio; also survived by a nephew and nieces.

Visitation 7-9 Thursday and 8:30-9:15 A.M. Friday at WHITE-LUTTRELL FUNERAL HOME, 311 N. Swarthmore Ave.- Ridley Park, PA. Funeral Mass 10 A.M. Friday at the Church of St. Madeline, Penn and Morton Ave. Ridley Park. Burial SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery.

Memorial Gifts may be sent to the Jefferson Foundation, ICU Unit, 925 Chestnut St., Suite 110, Phila. PA. 19107.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 1:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Atlantic District Officiating Program has lost a veteran official. Joe Nardone suddenly passed away a few days before Christmas. Joe officiated hundreds of USA Hockey games in the Central New Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania area at many different levels. His loss is certainly a blow to officiating at the grassroots in his area.

Joe is survived by his stepdaughter Kristin Geno.

Joe's death was not well publicized within the officiating community. We hope that this message reaches officials who worked with him over the years. It is still possible to leave a note in Joe's memory on Legacy.com.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 10:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last week, the NHL Officials Association Website reported that Leo Boylan is the 2007-2008 recipient of the Michael Condon Memorial Award from the American Hockey League. Leo is a Level 4 official from Chalfont, PA who has been a linesman in the AHL for 12 seasons.

According to the article:

Since 2002, the American Hockey League has presented the Mike Condon Award to an on-ice official for their outstanding service to the League.

This year the AHL selected Leo Boylan... to receive the award. AHL Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Jim Mill had this to say, "We felt Leo is a more than deserving receipient. He exemplifies all of the qualities the award represents - service to the league, longevity and on ice performance." Jim Doyle, Marty Demers, Dan Murphy, Matt Dunne and Luke Galvin are the past winners of the award.

Leo had a close relationship with Mike and for him to be honored with this award it is quite special. Mike was a mentor to Leo, helping him out along the way as he rose in the officiating ranks. "For me to win this award means a lot", said Leo. "To be included in this group of officials, with all their accomplishments and to have Mike's name on the award is very humbling. Mike helped open a lot of doors for me and I am truly honored to be recognized with this...."

{Leo} will receive the award in January, before an AHL game at the {Wachovia} Spectrum....

An article on theAHL.com about league award winners for 2007-2008 says, "The Michael Condon Memorial Award was created in 2002 following the sudden passing of veteran linesman Mike Condon."

On behalf on the Atlantic District Officiating Program, congratulations to Leo on being selected for this very prestigious award.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 11:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote, "We are sad to report that Bob Congalton's mother Janet passed away on Wednesday. The funeral arrangements are:"

Blackley Funeral Home
809 Broad Avenue
Ridgefield, NJ
(201) 945-5032

Visitation Friday 2-4 and 7-9.
Saturday, 9 am, Service at 10 am.

Funeral procession following the service at 10 am to George Washington Memorial Cemetery in Paramus.

If anyone needs directions to the funeral home, you can go to their website: http://www.blackleyfuneralhome.com/.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 10:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The hockey season is approaching quickly. We must begin to prepare for this upcoming season. As you know, the Eastern Collegiate Hockey Officials Association (ECHOA) has expanded its assignments for next season. We will be assigning:

1. Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association (ECHA)
2. Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League (ESCHL)
3. Northeast Collegiate Hockey League (NECHL)

There will be many opportunities for our officials to work at this high level almost every weekend. If you were on the roster this past 2006-07 season, you are on the roster for this upcoming season. There is no need to tryout again. The ECHOA expects a full commitment to our assignments for the entire season from all officials.

For all new officials that are interested in officiating in the ECHOA: We will be conducting evaluations at the Atlantic District Level 4 Officiating Seminar in Lawrenceville, NJ. You must properly register to attend the seminar. Also, you must let either Mike or Shane know you will be attending the Level 4 seminar.

• Mike's email address: mcdevitt [at] echoa.org
• Shane's email address: shane [at] echoa.org

In addition, USA Hockey National Championships will be held here in the Atlantic District this season. So this is a great opportunity for officials. It's a win/win for everyone.

At this time, the Level 4 seminar is the only way try out for the ECHOA. Another tryout may be added in the future.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 12:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote:

At the start of this season, I announced that Shane Hanlon had stepped down as the District Seminar Coordinator pending a work-related move out of the District. At that time, I appointed Carl Barling as the new District Seminar Coordinator and Marty Maglio to serve as the Assistant District Seminar Coordinator.

It is amazing what has happened in the ensuing months! The work-related move out of the District will now not happen for Shane. At the same time, Carl received an offer for a new job that was too good to pass up. As a result, his time is more restricted now because he has to travel for business.

As a result of these “real-life” changes, I am announcing the following realignment in the structure of our District Seminar Staff:

• Shane Hanlon will return to his original position as District Seminar Coordinator
• Carl Barling will serve as the Seminar Liaison for the northern part of our District
• Marty Maglio with serve as the Seminar Liaison for the southern part of our District

Posted by Dave Aiello at 12:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Please be advised that the Atlantic Youth Hockey League has received and reluctantly accepted the resignation of Harry Dumas as the AYHL Referee-in-Chief. Mr. Dumas has stepped down from these responsibilities due to personal reasons.

The League would like to extend their thanks and gratitude to Mr. Dumas for his efforts over the years. He has assured the AYHL that he will work with his replacement to ensure a smooth transition.

We are pleased to announce that Ryan Honig will be the new Referee-in-Chief for the Atlantic Youth Hockey League. Ryan is a 12-year veteran official and is a member of the USA Hockey National Referee Development Program Staff. He has worked at every level of our League and for other Youth and Junior Leagues throughout the country that participate with National Referee Development program.

Ryan will bring a new energy and approach to our Officiating Program within the AYHL. He has some exciting and innovating ideas, which I am sure he will elaborate on in the near future. Right now, Ryan is focusing on some of the important day-to-day aspects of the position and becoming familiar with our Referee data management systems, et cetera.

Please join us in welcoming Ryan to his new position with the AYHL.

Here is his contact info:

Posted by Dave Aiello at 1:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote:

It is with deep sadness that I inform you of the passing of Mike Nardello this morning. Mike died peacefully at home around 7am.

Mike was a beloved member of the hockey community for many years. He will always remembered as a true gentleman and respected member of our hockey community.

He will be missed.

Details of Mike's funeral arrangements will be added to this article when they become available.

Update: There will be a viewing and service between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM on Saturday, November 4th at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Rd, Westwood, NJ.

Mike's death notice as it appeared in The Record on November 3 - 4, 2006.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 7:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote: "I am sorry report that Carl Barling's step father has passed away. Here are the arrangements:"

The Farmer Funeral Home
45 Roseland Ave
Roseland, NJ

Viewing Sunday October 21, 2006
2-4pm
7-9pm

Memorial Service Monday October 22 at 12:00pm.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 12:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote: "I am sorry to report that Mike McDevitt's brother Joe has passed away. Below is the information from the local paper:"

JOSEPH K. McDEVITT: Oct. 16, 2006, age 54, after a courageous battle with lung and brain cancer. Beloved husband of Debbie (nee Ryder); devoted father of Desiree; dear son of Florence McDevitt and the late James Sr.; brother of Marie Feeney (Kevin), Michael (Judy) and the late James Jr.; also survived by his mother-in-law and friend, Dolores Ryder; nieces and nephews and his best friends, Buddy and Bonnie. Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Friday, 8:30 A.M., BURNS FUNERAL HOME, 9708 Frankford Ave. (So. of Grant Ave.) followed by his Mass of Christian Burial 10 A.M., Christ the King Church. Viewing Thursday eve. 6 to 9 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Women's Humane Society, 3839 Richlieu Rd., Bensalem PA 19020, in his memory would be appreciated.

This death notice appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer on October 18, 2006.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 11:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote:

I am sorry to inform you that Dick Trimble has suffered a heart attack and passed away late Friday afternoon.

Dick was very involved with USA Hockey for many years. He was very active in the Officiating Program and the Coaching Program. Dick was instrumental in some early officiating seminars in the District, and was the first District Officiating Evaluation Coordinator. He also served as District Coaching Program Director. From 1982 to 2004, he was the NHL Supervisor of Off-Ice Officials for the New Jersey Devils.

Viewing hours are on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM at:

Spearing Funeral Home
155 Kinderkamack Rd
Park Ridge, NJ 07656
(201) 391-6666

A small service will take place at 8pm. It was Dick's wish to be creamated.

If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Trimble family would appreciate it.

Dick's death notice from the Bergen Record.

Donation information for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is available at: http://www.stjude.org/donate.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 11:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote:

I am sorry to inform you of the passing of Jay Ippolito, a veteran USA Hockey official from the North Jersey area, after a long illness. Here are the arrangements:

Van Pelt Funeral Home

1331 Saddle River Road

Fairlawn, NJ

The services will be held on Tuesday, July 26 as follows:

2 pm - 4 pm: Viewing

7 pm - 9 pm: Viewing

The funeral service for Jay is scheduled for Wednesday, July 27, 2005 at 9:30am at St. Ann's Church in Fairlawn, NJ.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote:

I am sorry to inform you of the passing of Bob Congalton, Sr. on Sunday. Bob is the father of USAH / NIHOA official Bob Congalton, Jr. Bob Sr. was a longtime USA Hockey official plus a longtime member and officer of NorthEast Ice Hockey Officials Association.

Here are the details of the funeral arrangements:

Blackley Funeral Home

809 Broad Avenue

Ridgefield, NJ 07657

(201) 945-5032

If anyone needs directions to the funeral home, you can go to their website: http://www.blackleyfuneralhome.com/.

The services will be held on Tuesday, July 26 as follows:

2 pm - 4 pm: Viewing

7 pm - 9 pm : Viewing and brief service

There will be a mass Wednesday morning, July 27 at 10 am.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 7:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association (ECHA) has decided to use USA Hockey Officials for the upcoming 2004-05 season. This agreement expands the opportunities for many of the local officials in the Atlantic District. In the past, very little college hockey was assigned using USA Hockey Officials. The hope is that the ECHA/USA Hockey relationship will become the model for other college leagues within our District. The Eastern Collegiate Hockey Officials Association is being organized for the purpose of developing and maintaining an officiating staff for the ECHA.

The ECHA has teams throughout the Atlantic District. Therefore, we need officials from all over the Tri-State area. We have created a webpage so that officials who wish to tryout to work ECHA games can fill out an application and keep up to date with the new relationship. Any official who feels ready college to officiate college hockey in this area is encouraged

Posted by Dave Aiello at 7:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On January 10, 2003, Edward J. O'Donnell of Mullica Hill, NJ, had a heart attack and died while officiating a high school ice hockey game in Pennsauken, NJ. A number of Atlantic District Officials have asked how they can help the family. If you are interested in making a financial contribution, they can be sent to:

The O'Donnell Children's College Fund
c/o Commerce Bank
P.O. Box 729
Mullica Hill, NJ 08062

Contributions may also be made at any Commerce Bank location in New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, or New York.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On Friday, January 10, Ed O'Donnell, a USA Hockey and NIHOA official from Mullica Hill, NJ, suffered a heart attack and died at an arena in Pennsauken, NJ. At the time, he was officiating an NJSIAA game between Brick Township and Bishop Eustace High Schools.

Updates:

• Obituary that appeared in Courier-Post Newspaper on January 13.
  
• Star-Ledger article that appeared on January 14.
  

Tony Mariconda, Atlantic District Referee-in-Chief, said:

The Atlantic District Officiating Program suffered another loss this weekend. Ed O'Donnell, 45, passed away during a High School game in Pennsauken, NJ Friday night. He was not feeling well during the second period and left the ice. A home team parent who was a doctor went into the locker room to assist him. Unfortunately, Ed apparently suffered a heart attack and could not be revived....

Ed had been a Local Supervisor of Officials and a former member of Seminar Instructors Staff in the Atlantic District. He is survived by his wife Janice and three school-age children.

Continue reading "Ed O'Donnell, Ice Hockey Official, Dies of Heart Attack During H.S. Game in Pennsauken, NJ" »

Posted by Dave Aiello at 9:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today's Star-Ledger contains a major article about the New Jersey Youth Hockey League's manditory sportsmanship classes for parents of league participants. According to the article, the NJYHL has adopted the principles advocated in the Rediscovering Youth Sportsmanship program, a course developed by St. Barnabas Health Care System and the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association:

Hoping to curb incidents of boorish and obnoxious adult fan behavior, the New Jersey Youth Hockey League is requiring at least one parent of every player to attend an anger management program....

Working with Saint Barnabas Medical Center, the league put together a program and required all of the clubs in New Jersey to send a representative to a meeting in Woodbridge on Oct. 4 to listen to the program and bring it back to their coaches and parents....

If parents do not take the course by the end of the year, their child will not be allowed to play until they do. When they do finally attend the program, they will be asked to sign a pledge and a code of ethics, promising, among other things, to show respect for coaches and officials and to ensure their child behaves in a sportsmanlike manner.

Posted by Dave Aiello at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tony Mariconda wrote, "By now you are probably aware that we lost a good friend and an outstanding member of the Atlantic District Officiating Program when Mike Condon passed away early Thursday morning. The services for Mike will be on Sunday, March 24, from 7:00 to 9:00pm, at Quinn's Funeral Home, Roosevelt Boulevard and Sanger Street in Philadelphia. The telephone number for Quinn's is 215-535-1821. The mass will be held on Monday, March 25 at 10:00am, at St. Martin of Tours Church, Roosevelt Boulevard and Oxford Circle."

Mike's obituary in the Philadelphia Inquirer

Statement from the American Hockey League

Posted by Dave Aiello at 4:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)